I have been selected for an Air Traffic Control Specialist position and I am filling out my paperwork. (Below) This is from the Employment Agreement and not the actual background check, not sure how I should answer.

Here is my predicament in "short":

I received my email with all the forms I need to fill out, one being the Employment Agreement. On this form it has a section stating that the clearance process takes 45-60 days and certain occurences could cause it to take longer such as: (verbatim)

-any arrests-being fired from employment or removed for cause-any history of involvement with illegal drugs (buying, selling, recreational use, abuse)-discharge from the military under other than an honorable discharge (i.e., general or dishonorable)-discharge from the military for reasons associated with health status

Then at the end it of the form it asks you to check one of the following boxes:

-I am not aware of any situations in my background that should delay or prevent my employment with the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller Specialist.

-I understand that situations in my background require further evaluation and will delay the processing of my application.

Now my situation, I ran with a "rough crowd" when I was younger (15 or 16), got pulled over with a buddy of mine and we went down to juvi for possesion. Technically we were arrested, but no conviction and was even able to have it removed from my record all together because it was not mine (for real) and it was such a small amount. So how do I answer the above question? Is this something I even need to worry about showing up? Technically I was "involved" and "arrested" but never anything came of it. I have since been employed in the airline industry with a job requiring FAA security clearance and nothing came up.

I want to check the "I am aware" box, but don't know if this will show up and I don't want to draw attention to something that doesn't need it. If I mark yes, is this past "involvement" with marijuana a disqualifier? My step-mom is a retired controller who says zero tolerance, but I think she is thinking about once I am on the job.

Also note that the actual background check form states to list any criminal offenses in the past 7 years (it doesn't say that is all it checks, but it leads one to believe they won't look further).

Hmm... I am not sure whether or not something you did but were never convicted for would fall under that category. I just had to go through this a few months ago, but I also have a clean record. I would personally mark "I understand that situations in my background..." The whole thing is that it will take 60 days for an investigator to even see your paperwork. After that point, it all happens very fast. You would then be able to explain to them the situation and your reasoning for answering why you did. It did happen, and it was possession of an illegal substance. If they want to dig (which they will), they can find that.

Just spoke to a friend of mine that processing security clearance for the federal government. They will not go to the juvi records. However, since it does ask whether you have a history of - he indicated that it would be best to indicate the circumstances and that you have never used again. Be truthful. They will only look back 7 years, but that is to determine whether you are truthful and if something comes up - then your clearance could be questionable. I have a TS clearance and they will contact neighbors, friends, etc. Look at it as if it were a tree. You start at the base of the tree and the investigator will branch out where the lead that them. It is your call, but better to be truthful in the process.

I believe it is illegal to demand that an applicant admit to crimes committed as a minor, if the final disposition of the case included that the person's record was expunged/sealed. There is an exception to this though- and its government agencies. At least from my experience, I was expected to admit to everything, even shit that I wasnt ever caught doing.

And another FYI-just cuz ur record was 'sealed' doesnt mean shit- there is still a record of what happened- and government agencies can access these records, with your permission. So the easy way they do this is to have you sign a consent form allowing them to. You dont sign the consent, you are removed from consideration for the job...

Not sure how this applies to your specific situation, as mine was for local law enforcement, but I hope the info helped

I would put not aware because, although you were taken into custody, it was removed from your record and you were never convicted. If you are asked about it, I would not lie, tell them the whole story but in the end I think you could truthfully say you did not feel it was something of relevance since it was supposedly removed from your record.

if its a police (federal, state, city) type background check, you've got to put EVERYTHING to your knowledge from the last 5 years. if you lie or "forget" they will find out anyways and use it against you for that position. as for the drugs part, it's not just within 5 years its "any history" that they can prove.

juvenile crimes don't need told. i did though and they still accepted my application.

Just spoke to a friend of mine that processing security clearance for the federal government. They will not go to the juvi records. However, since it does ask whether you have a history of - he indicated that it would be best to indicate the circumstances and that you have never used again. Be truthful. They will only look back 7 years, but that is to determine whether you are truthful and if something comes up - then your clearance could be questionable. I have a TS clearance and they will contact neighbors, friends, etc. Look at it as if it were a tree. You start at the base of the tree and the investigator will branch out where the lead that them. It is your call, but better to be truthful in the process.

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oh my application only said 5 years. OP record 7 years just to be safe

And another FYI-just cuz ur record was 'sealed' doesnt mean shit- there is still a record of what happened- and government agencies can access these records, with your permission. So the easy way they do this is to have you sign a consent form allowing them to. You dont sign the consent, you are removed from consideration for the job...

Not sure how this applies to your specific situation, as mine was for local law enforcement, but I hope the info helped

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Trust me that is exactly the debate I have in my head. Just because it is not going to show up when I apply at Arby's doesn't mean that if Uncle Sam wants it he can't have it.